mess tins or mug,what do you prefer and why?

[johnnythefox]

i have a nice dutch army mug but in the end i think mess tins are more flexible.
try frying an egg in a mug...

i have my original brit issue mess tins but today i bought the french ones in my local army and navy [s/h].
3 peices and the set i choose had a 3/4 spoon and fork inside as well.
scubbed up nice with little effort cant wait to try them.
they are the same as these on ebay not expensive either.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRENCH-3-PIEC...Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2561097e46

 

[tiger stacker]

You may be able to fry a egg, however poached onatop toast is quite nice.

mug + dixies for me as they work just fine together.

 

[Graham_S]

I prefer mess tins (or at least a pot with a lid)
I want to be able to have a brew while I'm cooking.
Just taking a mug I find very restrictive.

 

[beenn]

I have to pick the metal mug, wether its the 500ml tatonka on the bottom of the nalgene or crusader on the crusader bottle. I love mess tins but i find them hard to pack and not as strong. I carry a folding plastic mug so i make my brew and as it cools prepare my meal, but thats just me

 

[Shewie]

I don't use either, I think the mugs are too heavy for what they are and mess tins are a load of crap unless you're boiling up rat packs.

Give me a decent sized pot and a lightweight mug any day.

EDIT:

Can we have a third option on the poll for neither

 

[Radix lecti]

I tend to use Mugs a lot more,i still have my issue mess tins from the 80s which i dont use,however i do still use a mess tin lid for frying eggs.

Daz

 

[rik_uk3]

I cook in pots as I can't back pack these days but army mess tins are still good for eating a dollop of curry or stew; mugs are for drinking out of.

 

[Man of Tanith]

i like to take both with me and the swedish billy can set between them three pieces i can produce some fine food without too much space being taken up within pack.

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

I always like the idea of my Crusader mug, but never in fact use it. I used my issue mess tins & hexi burners for years, but they too don't get used these days. Instead I usually go for my Swedish Army mess set for preference whenever I don't have to lug kit too far - basically because it's simple, flexible & reliable; stick it next to the fire, over the fire, over a burner, use the top pan as a mug etc etc. That said I never make any fancy food either!

 

[SimonM]

It depends on what I'm doing:

Backpacking = Ti mug and 1L pot

Base camping = Full cast iron set up (Dutch ovens / griddle / tripod), kettle with Crusader mug

Canoeing = Crusader mug, billy cans, kettle and frying pan

Simon

 

[johnnythefox]

i should of mentioned i meant as personnel kit being carried so weight also counts.

if i was camping from a car i would take a frying pan and a saucepan of course....

 

[Opal]

I take this for a good walk out I make a cuppa first then do some noodles or whatever takes yer fancy, cheap too and so light.

Here's a seller.

http://www.ishop.co.uk/item/surplusandoutdoors/HI-GEAR-POT-IN-BAG.html

 

[3bears]

I'm another one who has to say it depends! if its just an afternoon bimble, just a mug, but if I'm out all day and I'm likely to be dong any cooking, it's a zebra billy.....

 

[ged]

I like a pottery mug (a pint one!) for my tea. Stainless, aluminium and plastic all make tea taste funny but I'll use them if I have to.

I like non-stick pans for cooking.

They're heavy.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Mugs everytime. You can't beat then for eating standing up one handed. They keep your food warmer as well as compactly fitting on top or bottom, or both, of a water bottle. I have a crusader/'85 mug/'58 bottle combo as well as a Snowpeak ti mug/MSR steel mug/Nalgene set.
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[rik_uk3]

Mugs everytime. You can't beat then for eating standing up one handed. They keep your food warmer as well as compactly fitting on top or bottom, or both, of a water bottle. I have a crusader/'85 mug/'58 bottle combo as well as a Snowpeak ti mug/MSR steel mug/Nalgene set.
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[Greg]

I always use my metal mug, I can heat my boily bag food and use the water for my brew..SIMPLES!!

 

[FGYT]

always carry a metal mug was a US issue one for 20 yrs now a crusader as it fits the 58 bottle better and fits a Rat pack Boil in the bag properly
That said since i got it a few years ago I avoid Rat packs now and try and do better more interesting food so its mainly there to do hot brews

for me and me + 1 i carry a 12cm Zebra Billy and Hobo set as well some times a mini Wok

for static / Car group camping a large Dutch oven is added

my mate carries similar a mug and a Zebra etc but a 16cm so we have plenty of options plus he has a kettle that fits in the 16cm for the car camp set up etc

so not differnt set ups just adding more as you ramp up from the Mug depending on numbers and carry etc

still have my old cadet Mess tin (stamped 1947 ) large one was cut down so its just a lid bottom painted black perfect for bacon burgers boiled in their tins

 

[andybysea]

Crusader for my brew's,and a small non stick frying(for chorizo,or bacon,and heating tinned stew etc) pan covers all my need's on recent outings.

 

[shaggystu]

......I like non-stick pans for cooking.

They're heavy.

i'm curious ged, would you class "heavy" as a good or a bad point?

stuart